The Bauhinia Foundation Research Centre (BFRC) yesterday urged the government to focus more on creative industry as it develops its economy and suggested a slew of measures to achieve it.

The BFRC yesterday released the report of a study entitled "Hong Kong: A Creative Metropolis", which sets out 43 recommendations under five policy objectives.

According to the report, Hong Kong lags behind Singapore and South Korea in terms of creativity or creative economy and it must catch up vigorously.

It also quoted statistics of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development that creative economy accounts for seven percent of global economies and is growing at an average rate of 10 percent per year.

"Under globalization, we should attach greater importance to culture and urban space," said Winnie Ng, convener of the relevant study group and a director of the centre.

"We should also strive to improve our urban dynamics, quality of life, manpower resource, creativity and innovation to lift the development standard of Hong Kong," Ng added.

One of the highlights of the report is the remaking of urban spaces in conjunction with heritage protection in the old districts to maintain their characteristics.

For example, a cultural-led approach should be adopted as a parallel model of development, using a district-based or city-based conservation policy.

Obsolete factory buildings in San Po Kong, Yau Tong, Kwun Tong, etc. should be converted to new economic and production spaces for the creative sector, the report suggested.

It also suggested pilot tests be carried out in such districts as Central, Sheung Wan, Wan Chai, Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, Shek Kip Mei and Kwun Tong to preserve local culture and characteristics of the community.

"We hope greater importance will be attached to culture at the time of redevelopment from the holistic approach of a district basis rather than patching up individual buildings," said Patrick Mok, consultant for the study.

He also said historic buildings and cultural venues should be preserved to create economic value, attract tourists and promote cultural consumption, with the Central Police Station Compound being a classic example.

"It can be preserved and developed in connection with neighbouring cultural venues such as the Fringe Club, entertainment zone Lan Kwai Fong, as well as cultural markets and antique shops along Hollywood Road," he added.

As for the participation by the private sector, he said developers may be asked by law or voluntarily to retain certain portions of their properties for cultural activities.

Alternatively, tax concessions may be offered to the business sector for buying cultural exhibits or investing in cultural projects like such cities as London, New York and Tokyo.

Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said it would study the report , adding that Chief Executive Donald Tsang had stressed the importance of creative industry in his election manifesto.

(HK Edition 10/04/2007 page5)